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PatchSiren cyber security CVE debrief

CVE-2016-4675 Apple CVE debrief

CVE-2016-4675 is an Apple vulnerability in the libxpc component that can let a crafted app execute arbitrary code in a privileged context. The CVE record lists affected releases before iOS 10.1, macOS 10.12.1, tvOS 10.0.1, and watchOS 3.1. Because the attack requires local app interaction and user involvement, it is not a remote-only issue, but the impact is high due to privileged code execution.

Vendor
Apple
Product
Unknown
CVSS
HIGH 7.8
CISA KEV
Not listed in stored evidence
Original CVE published
2017-02-20
Original CVE updated
2026-05-13
Advisory published
2017-02-20
Advisory updated
2026-05-13

Who should care

Apple device owners and administrators managing iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TV, or Apple Watch devices on versions earlier than the fixed releases should treat this as a patching priority. Security teams responsible for mobile device management, application allowlisting, and software update enforcement should also care because the vulnerable path is triggered by a crafted app.

Technical summary

The NVD entry describes a libxpc issue in Apple operating systems that permits arbitrary code execution in a privileged context. NVD assigns CVSS 3.0 vector AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H, indicating local attack conditions, no privileges required, and user interaction required. The listed weakness is CWE-264. The record ties the issue to Apple platform versions fixed in iOS 10.1, macOS 10.12.1, tvOS 10.0.1, and watchOS 3.1.

Defensive priority

High. The flaw can yield privileged code execution on multiple Apple platforms, so systems still on affected releases should be updated promptly. It is not marked as KEV in the supplied data, but the impact is severe enough to justify expedited remediation.

Recommended defensive actions

  • Update iOS devices to 10.1 or later.
  • Update macOS systems to 10.12.1 or later.
  • Update tvOS devices to 10.0.1 or later.
  • Update watchOS devices to 3.1 or later.
  • Inventory Apple endpoints to confirm no systems remain on vulnerable versions.
  • Use Apple’s vendor advisories referenced in the CVE record to validate the fixed release for each platform.
  • Until patched, reduce exposure to untrusted app installation and enforce normal app trust controls where possible.

Evidence notes

This debrief is based on the supplied NVD CVE metadata and the vendor references listed there. The NVD record identifies Apple as the vendor, libxpc as the affected component, the affected version ceilings for iOS/macOS/tvOS/watchOS, the CVSS vector, and CWE-264. Apple support bulletin URLs are present as vendor references in the source corpus, but their full bulletin text was not included in the supplied data.

Sources and references

Verified primary and authoritative sources

  • CVE-2016-4675 CVE Program record

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2016-4675

    CVE Program - Official CVE Program record with source-provided CVE metadata.

  • CVE-2016-4675 NVD vulnerability detail

    Publisher, destination, and source semantics verified

    URL: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-4675

    NIST National Vulnerability Database - Official NIST NVD detail page and source-specific vulnerability assessment.

Supplemental references

Methodology and review provenance

AI-assisted synthesis based on stored public vulnerability evidence. System validation, approval state, and publication status do not by themselves establish human review of this revision. PatchSiren helps prioritize defensive review and does not prove exposure or remediation on any system.